May 1, 2013

John Buckwalter named dean of College of Human Ecology

John Buckwalter will become the next dean of the College of Human Ecology on July 1. He will succeed Virginia Moxley, who is going on phased retirement after having served as dean since 2006. Currently Buckwalter is the associate dean for research and graduate studies in the College of Health Professions and Education at the University of Texas at Arlington.

"I am both humbled and excited by the opportunity to join the College of Human Ecology as dean," Buckwalter said. "I eagerly look forward to working with the outstanding faculty and staff in the college to move toward the goals outlined in K-State 2025."

He did his graduate work in kinesiology and was a professor, and later department chair, in kinesiology at the University of Texas-Arlington. Kansas State University's department of kinesiology moved to the College of Human Ecology this year. The college also encompasses the departments of apparel, textiles and interior design; hospitality management and dietetics; human nutrition; and a gerontology program and the School of Family Studies and Human Services.

"I am very pleased that John Buckwalter is joining the College of Human Ecology as its new dean," said April Mason, the university's provost and senior vice president. "John Buckwalter has a deep background in research as a scientist himself, and as an administrator he has championed research and made it a part of his college's strategic plan. His leadership will be instrumental as the college continues to grow and evolve to achieve its K-State 2025 goals for integrated education, research and engagement."

Buckwalter's current position of associate dean for research and graduate studies was created in the College of Education and Health Professions at UT Arlington to address issues of research productivity. In this position he has led initiatives to develop a college strategic plan for research and a collegewide plan to highlight faculty research capacity. As department head in kinesiology, Buckwalter led faculty to receive the department's first grants from the National Institutes for Health and NASA.

"John Buckwalter's experience shows the aspirational leadership we're looking for to help us become a Top 50 public research university by 2025," said K-State President Kirk Schulz. "His initiatives demonstrate that he is willing to set the bar high, like we are at K-State."

Buckwalter earned a doctorate and a master's degree from the University of Arkansas in kinesiology with an emphasis in exercise physiology. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in health and physical education with teacher certification for K-12, and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Spanish with secondary level teacher certification, both from Centenary College in Shreveport, La.